1 Major achievements of IGCP 661 The IGCP661 project"Processes,Cycle,and Sustainability of the Critical Zone in Karst Systems(2017-2021)"has been carried out for two years.Besides five International karst me...1 Major achievements of IGCP 661 The IGCP661 project"Processes,Cycle,and Sustainability of the Critical Zone in Karst Systems(2017-2021)"has been carried out for two years.Besides five International karst meetings and two training courses for karst that have been held,some scientific achievements include the basic roles of the function and structural evolution of the karst critical zone have been determined.In various types of karst critical zone,the different forms of calcite and HCO3-cycling were determined.展开更多
Soil degradation, including rocky desertification,of the karst regions in China is severe. Karst landscapes are especially sensitive to soil degradation as carbonate rocks are nutrient-poor and easily eroded. Understa...Soil degradation, including rocky desertification,of the karst regions in China is severe. Karst landscapes are especially sensitive to soil degradation as carbonate rocks are nutrient-poor and easily eroded. Understanding the balance between soil formation and soil erosion is critical for long-term soil sustainability, yet little is known about the initial soil forming processes on karst terrain. Herein we examine the initial weathering processes of several types of carbonate bedrock containing varying amounts of non-carbonate minerals in the SPECTRA Critical Zone Observatory, Guizhou Province, Southwest China. We compared the weathering mechanisms of the bedrock to the mass transfer of mineral nutrients in a soil profile developed on these rocks and found that soil formation and nutrient contents are strongly dependent upon the weathering of interbedded layers of more silicate-rich bedrock(marls). Atmospheric inputs from dust were also detected.展开更多
Geochemical differentiation of soils has a series of consequences on plant and places pressure on the ecological environment.The quantitative evaluation of element migration in the Earth’s critical zone is a challeng...Geochemical differentiation of soils has a series of consequences on plant and places pressure on the ecological environment.The quantitative evaluation of element migration in the Earth’s critical zone is a challenging task.In this study,two demonstration study areas of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi were selected,and multiple chemical weathering indexes,chemical loss fraction,mass migration coefficients and biological enrichment coefficient method were used to assess the ecological and geochemical suitability.The results show that for the element of Fe,Zn,Se,Cu,Co,Ni,Mo and Ge,the degree of weathering and soil maturation,were greater in the rhyolitic tuff area than in the Plagioclase gneiss area.In both research sites,the heavy metal level of samples in Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi did not exceed the standard limits.The plagioclase gneiss region’s surface soil environment was more alkaline,and the content of soil organic matter was lower,resulting in a higher bioenrichment intensity of Ge,Co,Cu,and Se elements in Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi than in the rhyolite-tuff area.The elements of Cd,Nb,Mo,Pb and As are considerably enriched in the soil of the plagioclase gneiss area but lost by leaching in the soil of the rhyolite tuff area,which is connected to the interplay of elemental abundance and human impact in the parent materials.This study provides a good example of how to assess growth suitability of Chinese medicinal materials in the Earth’s critical zone.展开更多
The near-surface environment of the Tibetan Plateau is a fragile critical zone. Our understanding of the transport and transformation of persistent organic pollutants(POPs) in the ecosystem has significantly improved ...The near-surface environment of the Tibetan Plateau is a fragile critical zone. Our understanding of the transport and transformation of persistent organic pollutants(POPs) in the ecosystem has significantly improved with research conducted in recent decades. In the current study,POP concentrations in soils logarithmically decreased and fractionated with increasing distance from the source area,patterns attributed to air–soil exchange. Transport from soils resulted in the enrichment of POP concentrations in plants and sediments. The enantiomeric fraction indicated that transformation of POPs in soils was significantly correlated with altitude. At the same time, the chiral signature of POPs in soils was maintained from soils to sediments, while the chiral transformation from soils to plants was found to be complex.展开更多
Focusing on sustainability of water resources and ecology in the complex karst critical zone, we illustrated functions of the hydro-geochemical analysis on hydrology from the aspects of connection and interaction amon...Focusing on sustainability of water resources and ecology in the complex karst critical zone, we illustrated functions of the hydro-geochemical analysis on hydrology from the aspects of connection and interaction among hydrology–vegetation–soils/rock fractures along the karst subsurface profile. We reviewed isotopic and geochemical interpretations on tracing water sources for plant uptake, quantifying watershed outlet flow composition and residence times, and evaluating long-term evolution among climate–landscape–hydrology in the karst critical zone. In this paper, the application of the hydro-geochemical analysis on the above aspects in the karst areas of southwest China was summarized.展开更多
Bedrock weathering performs a significant influence on the evolution of Earth’s critical zone.Carbonate rock(dolostone),metamorphic rock(gneiss),and sedimentary rock(sandstone)geological formations in Yanshan Mountai...Bedrock weathering performs a significant influence on the evolution of Earth’s critical zone.Carbonate rock(dolostone),metamorphic rock(gneiss),and sedimentary rock(sandstone)geological formations in Yanshan Mountain,Hebei Province,are taken as objects to probe the controlling of geological formations on weathering characteristics,migration,and enrichment of elements as well as structure of Earth’s critical zone under the identical climate conditions through geological field survey,analysis on minerals component,element distribution in the weathering profile.The dolostone geological formation(DGF)is lithologically dominated by dolostone,characterized by the strongest and predominant chemical weathering.During bedrock weathering and pedogenesis,DGF is marked by significant depletion of CaO,Mg O,S,Mn,Mo and enrichment of N,K,Fe_(2)O_(3),and Zn with concentrations of P,Cu,and B keeping stable.Shortage of soil-forming materials and significant loss are driven by soil erosion,which results in thin regolith and soil.The soil thickness is less than 10 cm,and the regolith thickness is less than 30 cm.The vegetation community is predominantly rock arbor or brush,which is calcivorous and tolerant of barrenness.Plagiogneiss is a dominant rock type of gneiss geological formation(GGF),characterized by the weakest weathering and fast chemical and physical weathering rate.GGF is masked by significant depletion of P,K,CaO,MgO,Fe_(2)O_(3),Mn,Cu and enrichment of N,S,Mo,and B,with contents of Zn keeping stable.Both soil and regolith developed in GGF are relatively thick for one of the reasons that biotite expands during weathering.The soil thickness is more than 50 cm,and the regolith thickness ranges from 100 to 200 cm.The vegetation community is predominantly high-quality economic forests and various arbors because of the enrichment of nutrients in GGF.Sandstone is primarily a rock type of sandstone geological formation(SGF),characterized by moderate weathering degree and slow chemical weathering rate.SGF is marked by significant depletion of P,K,CaO,MgO,Fe_(2)O_(3),and enrichment of N,S,Mn,Cu,Zn,and Mo,with fluctuant changes of Zn and B.The thickness of soil developed in SGF varies between that of DGF and GGF.The soil thickness ranges from 30 to 50 cm,and the regolith thickness ranges from 50 to 100 cm.Chinese pines are widely spread on the shady slopes of SGF.Research provides theoretical support for screening dominant ecological resource areas,ecological industry development and ecological protection and restoration for Yanshan Mountain,Hebei Province.展开更多
One of the greatest challenges in critical zone studies is to document the moisture dynamics, water flux,and solute chemistry of the unsaturated, fractured and weathered bedrock that lies between the soil and groundwa...One of the greatest challenges in critical zone studies is to document the moisture dynamics, water flux,and solute chemistry of the unsaturated, fractured and weathered bedrock that lies between the soil and groundwater table. The central impediment to quantifying this component of the subsurface is the difficulty associated with direct observations. Here, we report solute chemistry as a function of depth collected over a full year across the shale-derived vadose zone of the Eel River Critical Zone Observatory using a set of novel sub-horizontal wellbores,referred to as the vadose zone monitoring system. The results of this first geochemical glimpse into the deep vadose zone indicate a dynamic temporal and depth-resolved structure. Major cation concentrations reflect seasonal changes in precipitation and water saturation, and normalized ratios span the full range of values reported for the world's largest rivers.展开更多
When waves propagate from deep water to shallow water, wave heights and steepness increase and then waves roll back and break. This phenomenon is called surf. Currently, the present statistical calculation model of su...When waves propagate from deep water to shallow water, wave heights and steepness increase and then waves roll back and break. This phenomenon is called surf. Currently, the present statistical calculation model of surf was derived mainly from the wave energy conservation equation and the linear wave dispersion relation, but it cannot reflect accurately the process which is a rapid increasing in wave height near the broken point. So, the concept of a surf breaking critical zone is presented. And the nearshore is divided as deep water zone, shallow water zone, surf breaking critical zone and after breaking zone. Besides, the calculation formula for the height of the surf breaking critical zone has founded based on flume experiments, thereby a new statistical calculation model on the surf has been established. Using the new model, the calculation error of wave height maximum is reduced from 17.62% to 6.43%.展开更多
Wetland is a transition zone between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems,and is the source and sink of various biogenic elements in the earth’s epipelagic zone.In order to investigate the driving force and coupling me...Wetland is a transition zone between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems,and is the source and sink of various biogenic elements in the earth’s epipelagic zone.In order to investigate the driving force and coupling mechanism of carbon(C),nitrogen(N)and phosphorus(P)migration in the critical zone of lake wetland,this paper studies the natural wetland of Dongting Lake area,through measuring and analysing the C,N and P contents in the wetland soil and groundwater.Methods of Pearson correlation,non-linear regression and machine learning were employed to analyse the influencing factors,and to explore the coupling patterns of the C,N and P in both soils and groundwater,with data derived from soil and water samples collected from the wetland critical zone.The results show that the mean values of organic carbon(TOC),total nitrogen(TN)and total phosphorus(TP)in groundwater are 1.59 mg/L,4.19 mg/L and 0.5 mg/L,respectively,while the mean values of C,N and P in the soils are 18.05 g/kg,0.86 g/kg and 0.52 g/kg.The results also show that the TOC,TN and TP in the groundwater are driven by a variety of environmental factors.However,the concentrations of C,N and P in the soils are mainly related to vegetation abundance and species which influence each other.In addition,the fitted curves of wetland soil C-N and C-P appear to follow the power function and S-shaped curve,respectively.In order to establish a multivariate regression model,the soil N and P contents were used as the input parameters and the soil C content used as the output one.By comparing the prediction effects of machine learning and nonlinear regression modelling,the results show that coupled relationship equation for the C,N and P contents is highly reliable.Future modelling of the coupled soil and groundwater elemental cycles needs to consider the complexity of hydrogeological conditions and to explore the quantitative relationships among the influencing factors and chemical constituents.展开更多
The Loess Critical Zone(LCZ)is located in the intersection of bedrock,groundwater,pedosphere,atmosphere and biosphere.It is a key issue to understand the structural characteristics and soil carbon(C)cycle of the LCZ.W...The Loess Critical Zone(LCZ)is located in the intersection of bedrock,groundwater,pedosphere,atmosphere and biosphere.It is a key issue to understand the structural characteristics and soil carbon(C)cycle of the LCZ.We summarized the mechanisms of C exchange between rocks and the atmosphere,and discussed the mechanisms of C stabilization and persistence of the LCZ.Due to the deep layer,C stocks of the CLZ could be underestimated.In light of the recent theory of microbial C pump,soil microorganisms play an important role in C cycle,however,the microbial function is not widely considered in C cycling model of the LCZ.For future studies,it is suggested to sys-tematically study the C cycling process from plant canopy to bedrock by the framework system of the LCZ.A variety of techniques and methods are integrated to combine short-term and high-frequency observations with long-term positioning observations,and pay attention to the response and feedback mechanisms of soil organic C(SOC)cycling to global changes and human activities,especially the migration and transformation of SOC in each circle and inter-face of the LCZ.We also recommend the necessity for intensive and long-term C monitoring in LCZ over broad geographic scale,to improve microbial C model for accurately evaluating terrestrial C budget and its dynamics.Altogether,this is the first review of C cycling,spanning from the land surface down to the bedrock in the LCZ,which is significant implications for biogeochemical cycling of C in surface and deep layers down to the bedrock.展开更多
As the thin layer at the Earth’s terrestrial surface,the critical zone(CZ)ranges from the vegetation canopy to the aquifer or the interface between saprolite and bedrock and varies greatly in space.In the last decade...As the thin layer at the Earth’s terrestrial surface,the critical zone(CZ)ranges from the vegetation canopy to the aquifer or the interface between saprolite and bedrock and varies greatly in space.In the last decade,much attention has been paid to the establishment of Critical Zone Observatories(CZOs)that focus on various aspects of CZ science over different time scales.However,to the best of our knowledge,few studies have explicitly contributed to CZ classification or regionalization;thus,the spatial patterns of similar CZs have not been clearly identified.This study proposed a three-category CZ classification scheme by integrating environmental factors that greatly affect the transfer of energy and mass in the Earth’s near-surface environment and thus dominate CZ formation and evolution,i.e.,climate,parent material,soil type,groundwater table depth,geomorphology and land use.The main goal was to highlight the zonality of these driving forces,of which the high-category classification units were overlaid to delineate the CZ boundaries.The CZ regionalization of China was performed as a case study,resulting in 44 major regions(1st category),100 submajor regions(2nd category)and 1448 regions(3rd category).The spatial distributions and driving factors of the ten largest regions were identified,followed by a simple comparison of the CZO network.Then,the proposed CZ regionalization was compared with recent studies on regionalization in China to evaluate its successes and weaknesses.By linking together CZ studies from the last decade,we advocate that a theoretical framework integrating the CZ evolution processes with ecological functions acts as one of the frontiers of CZ science.Our study demonstrates that the proposed three-category CZ classification scheme effectively identifies the spatial variations in CZs and could thus be further applied in other areas to advance terrestrial environmental research and provide decision support for the sustainable management of natural resources.展开更多
Regolith,widely distributed on the Earth’s surface,constitutes a significant compartment of the Critical Zone,resulting from intricate interactions among the atmosphere,lithosphere,hydrosphere,and biosphere.Regolith ...Regolith,widely distributed on the Earth’s surface,constitutes a significant compartment of the Critical Zone,resulting from intricate interactions among the atmosphere,lithosphere,hydrosphere,and biosphere.Regolith formation critically influences nutrient release,soil production,and long-term climate regulation.Regolith development is governed by two primary processes:production and denudation.An urgent need exists to comprehensively understand these processes to refine our understanding of Critical Zone functions.This study investigates an in-situ regolith profile developed on granitic bedrock from a tropical region(Sanya,China).We conducted geochemical analyses,encompassing major,trace elements and mineralogical compositions as well as U-series isotopes,and applied the U-series disequilibrium method to investigate the formation history of this profile.Alternatively,dividing the regolith profile into sub-weathering zones provides a better explanation for the geochemical results,and a multi-stage model based on this subdivision effectively interprets the evolution of deep regolith.Utilizing this multi-stage model,regolith production rates is derived from the“gain and loss”model,ranging from 1.27±0.03 to 42.42±24.24 m/Ma.The production rates first increase from surface until a maximum rate is reached at the depth of∼160 cm and then decrease at further deeper horizons along the depth profile,and the variation of production rates follows a so-called“humped function”.This pioneering investigation into regolith production rates in the Chinese tropical region indicates that(1)the studied profile deviates from a steady state compared to the denudation rate derived from cosmogenic nuclides(^(10)Be_in-situ);(2)subdividing the deep profile based on geochemical data and U-series isotopic activity ratios is imperative for accurately determining regolith production rates;and(3)the combination of U-series disequilibrium and cosmogenic nuclides robustly evaluates the quantitative evolution state of regolith over long time scales.展开更多
Achilles tendon tears(ATT)are commonly encountered in clinical practice although it is the strongest tendon in the body.ATT are reported to occur in 0.04%of the population annually.ATT may result from high impact spor...Achilles tendon tears(ATT)are commonly encountered in clinical practice although it is the strongest tendon in the body.ATT are reported to occur in 0.04%of the population annually.ATT may result from high impact sports trauma such as sudden dorsiflexion while weight bearing or repeated microtrauma to a compromised tendon.Multiple factors can decrease the tensile strength of the tendon predisposing it to rupture.The treatment approach for ATT is multifaceted,dependent on factors such as the degree of tear,distance between the retracted portions,tear location,and also on pa-tient factors such as occupation and underlying predisposing factors.In this pictorial essay,we present the imaging features of normal Achilles tendon and in ATT across different modalities and outline essential reporting criteria for ATT.展开更多
The karst critical zone is an essential component of the carbon （C） pool, constituting the global C cycle. It is referred to as one of the ＂residual land sink＂ that remains largely in- determinate. Karst area （2....The karst critical zone is an essential component of the carbon （C） pool, constituting the global C cycle. It is referred to as one of the ＂residual land sink＂ that remains largely in- determinate. Karst area （2.2×10^7 km^2） comprises 15% of the world＇s land area, and karst area comprises 3.44~106 km^2 of area in China. Due to the complexity of karst structure and its considerable heterogeneity, C sequestration rate estimations contain large inaccuracies, especially in relation to the different methods used in calculations. Therefore, we reevaluated rock weathering-related C sink estimations in China （approximately 4.74 Tg C yr^-1）, which we calibrated from previous studies. Additionally, we stipulated that more comprehensive re- search on rock-soil-biology-atmosphere continuum C migration is essential to better under- stand C conversion mechanisms based on uncertainty analyses of C sink estimations. Moreover, we stressed that a collective confirmation of chemical methods and simulated models through a combined research effort could at least partially eliminate such uncertainty. Furthermore, integrated C cycling research need a long-term observation of the carbon flux of multi-interfaces. The enhanced capacity of ecosystem C and soil C pools remains an effective way of increasing C sink. Karst ecosystem health and security is crucial to human social de- velopment, accordingly, it is critical that we understand thresholds or potential C sink capacities in karst critical zones now and in the future.展开更多
Plant growth contributes to mineral weathering, but this contribution remains poorly understood. Weathering rates in an aggrading forested watershed in subtropical China were studied by means of geochemical mass balan...Plant growth contributes to mineral weathering, but this contribution remains poorly understood. Weathering rates in an aggrading forested watershed in subtropical China were studied by means of geochemical mass balance. Rainfall, dry deposition, and streamwater were monitored from March 2007 to February 2012. Samples of vegetative components, rainfall, dry deposition, streamwater, representative soils, and parent rock were collected and determined for mass balance calculation and clarifying plant-driven weathering mechanisms stoichiometrically. Ignoring biomass, weathering rates of Ca^2＋, Mg^2＋, Na^＋, and Si were 25.6, 10.7, 2.8, and 51.0 kg ha^-1 year^-1, respectively. Taking biomass into consideration, weathering rates of Ca^2＋, Mg^2＋, and Si and the sum of weathering rates of Ca^2＋, Mg^2＋, Na^＋, K^＋, and Si were 2.6, 1.8, 1.2, and 1.5-fold higher than those ignoring biomass, respectively. This is attributed to plant-driven weathering due to the nutrient （e.g., Ca^2＋, Mg^2＋, and K^＋） absorption by vegetation and substantial proton production during assimilation of these nutrients, with the former acting as a pump for removing weathering products and the latter being a source of weathering agents solubilizing mineral components. The same pattern of weathering, i.e., higher rates of weathering with than without including biomass in mass balance calculation, was reported in previous studies; however, the extent to which plants drive weathering rates varied with vegetation types and climatic zones. The documented biological weathering driven by plants is expected to play a critical role in regulating nutrient cycling and material flows within the Earth＇s Critical Zone.展开更多
Bibliometrics was used to statistically analyze key zones within the Yangtze River Basin(YRB)funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)and national ministries over the past 20 years.This study de...Bibliometrics was used to statistically analyze key zones within the Yangtze River Basin(YRB)funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)and national ministries over the past 20 years.This study determined that funds that derived from national ministries have mainly focused on issues related to environmental pollution,ecological security,technological water regulations,and river basin ecosystems,which offer a better understanding of the national requirements and the scientific knowledge of the YRB in combination with data from the NSFC.Under a background of bolstering the construction of green ecological corridors in the economic belt of the YRB,this study proposes future conceptual watershed research initiatives in this region as a study objective by reinforcing the implementation of the Chinese Ecosystem Research Network(CERN)and by emphasizing the use of new technologies,new methods,and new concepts for the prospective design of frontier research under the perspective of geoscience and earth system science.This study promotes large-scale scientific field and research objectives based on big science and big data.展开更多
Rare earth elements(REEs) can record geologic and geochemical processes. We studied two granitic regolith profiles from different climatic zones in eastern Tibetan Plateau and found that(1)∑ RREEs ranged from119.65 t...Rare earth elements(REEs) can record geologic and geochemical processes. We studied two granitic regolith profiles from different climatic zones in eastern Tibetan Plateau and found that(1)∑ RREEs ranged from119.65 to 275.33 mg/kg in profile ND and5.11–474.55 mg/kg in profile GTC, with average values of205.79 and 161 mg/kg, respectively. ∑RREEs was higher in accumulation horizon and semi-regolith;(2) Influenced by climate, the fractionation of light and heavy REEs(LREEs and HREEs) varied during weathering. The ratio of LREEs/HREEs in pedosphere was higher than semi-regolith in tropical profile;(3) A negative Eu anomaly in both profiles was the result of bedrock weathering. A positive Ce anomaly was observed in all layers of profile ND, and only in the upper 100 cm of profile GTC. This indicates that redox conditions along the regolith profile varied considerably with climate.(4) Normalized by chondrite,LREEs accumulated much more than HREEs; REE distribution curves were right-leaning with a V-type Eu anomaly in both profiles.展开更多
To estimate carbon sequestration potential in the karst area,soil respiration in a natural recovering karst abandoned farmland in Shawan,Puding,Guizhou,southwest China was continuously and automatically monitored for ...To estimate carbon sequestration potential in the karst area,soil respiration in a natural recovering karst abandoned farmland in Shawan,Puding,Guizhou,southwest China was continuously and automatically monitored for more than two years.The results show that the CO2flux of soil respiration(2.63±1.89 lmol m^-2s-^1)is higher in the karst area than in non-karst areas under similar conditions but that regional value(1.32 lmol m-2s-1)is lower because of larger rock fragment coverage(~50%).A the same time,the temperature sensitivity of soil respiration(Q10)in this study area is significantly higher than that of non-karst areas under similar conditions.Soil respiration has an obvious temporal variation,which is reflected in a significant exponential relationship between soil respiration and soil temperature,but the relationship between soil respiration and soil moisture is very complex.Especially soil respiration has an obvious spatial variation,which is likely affected by different diffusion or water-rock reaction processes.展开更多
The scientific field test site of rainfall-soil moisture-groundwater conversion in Dabie Mountain Area–Jianghan Plain is located in the northern region of the Jianghan Plain,the transition zone between the Dabie Moun...The scientific field test site of rainfall-soil moisture-groundwater conversion in Dabie Mountain Area–Jianghan Plain is located in the northern region of the Jianghan Plain,the transition zone between the Dabie Mountain Area and Jianghan Plain.It’s a great field test site to study the material and energy exchange among rainfall,soil moisture,and groundwater of the Earth’s critical zone in subtropical monsoon climate plain areas.This paper analyzed the connection between rainfall and volume water content(VWC)of soil at different depths of several soil profiles,and the dynamic feature of groundwater was discussed,which reveals the rainfall infiltration recharge of Quaternary Upper Pleistocene strata.The results show that the Quaternary Upper Pleistocene aquifer groundwater accepts a little direct rainfall recharge,while the lateral recharge is the main supplement source.There were 75 effective rainfall events among 120 rainfall events during the monitoring period,with an accumulated amount of 672.9 mm,and the percentages of effective rainfall amount and duration time were 62.50%and 91.56%,respectively.The max evaporation depth at the upper part in Quaternary cohesive soil was no less than 1.4 m.The soil profile was divided into four zones:(1)The sensitive zone of rainfall infiltration within 1.4 m,where the material and energy exchange frequently near the interface between atmosphere and soil;(2)the buffer zone of rainfall infiltration between 1.4 m and 3.5 m;(3)the migration zone of rainfall infiltration between 3.5 m and 5.0 m;and(4)the rainfall infiltration and groundwater level co-influenced zone below 5.0 m.The results revealed the reaction of soil moisture and groundwater to rainfall in the area covered by cohesive soil under humid climate in Earth’s critical zone,which is of great theoretical and practical significance for groundwater resources evaluation and development,groundwater environmental protection,ecological environmental improvement,drought disaster prevention,and flood disaster prevention in subtropical monsoon climate plain areas.展开更多
基金granted by the International Earth Science Program of UNESCO(IGCP661)Research Fund of Chinese Academy of Geological Science(Grant No.YYWF201725)the Key Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.41571203).
文摘1 Major achievements of IGCP 661 The IGCP661 project"Processes,Cycle,and Sustainability of the Critical Zone in Karst Systems(2017-2021)"has been carried out for two years.Besides five International karst meetings and two training courses for karst that have been held,some scientific achievements include the basic roles of the function and structural evolution of the karst critical zone have been determined.In various types of karst critical zone,the different forms of calcite and HCO3-cycling were determined.
基金supported by the National Environmental Research Council of the UK(Grant Nos.NE/N007530/1 and NE/N007603/1)the National Science Foundation of China(Grant No.41571130042)
文摘Soil degradation, including rocky desertification,of the karst regions in China is severe. Karst landscapes are especially sensitive to soil degradation as carbonate rocks are nutrient-poor and easily eroded. Understanding the balance between soil formation and soil erosion is critical for long-term soil sustainability, yet little is known about the initial soil forming processes on karst terrain. Herein we examine the initial weathering processes of several types of carbonate bedrock containing varying amounts of non-carbonate minerals in the SPECTRA Critical Zone Observatory, Guizhou Province, Southwest China. We compared the weathering mechanisms of the bedrock to the mass transfer of mineral nutrients in a soil profile developed on these rocks and found that soil formation and nutrient contents are strongly dependent upon the weathering of interbedded layers of more silicate-rich bedrock(marls). Atmospheric inputs from dust were also detected.
基金funded by the China Geological Survey,grant number DD20190822。
文摘Geochemical differentiation of soils has a series of consequences on plant and places pressure on the ecological environment.The quantitative evaluation of element migration in the Earth’s critical zone is a challenging task.In this study,two demonstration study areas of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi were selected,and multiple chemical weathering indexes,chemical loss fraction,mass migration coefficients and biological enrichment coefficient method were used to assess the ecological and geochemical suitability.The results show that for the element of Fe,Zn,Se,Cu,Co,Ni,Mo and Ge,the degree of weathering and soil maturation,were greater in the rhyolitic tuff area than in the Plagioclase gneiss area.In both research sites,the heavy metal level of samples in Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi did not exceed the standard limits.The plagioclase gneiss region’s surface soil environment was more alkaline,and the content of soil organic matter was lower,resulting in a higher bioenrichment intensity of Ge,Co,Cu,and Se elements in Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi than in the rhyolite-tuff area.The elements of Cd,Nb,Mo,Pb and As are considerably enriched in the soil of the plagioclase gneiss area but lost by leaching in the soil of the rhyolite tuff area,which is connected to the interplay of elemental abundance and human impact in the parent materials.This study provides a good example of how to assess growth suitability of Chinese medicinal materials in the Earth’s critical zone.
基金financially supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(2652014003,2652016073)State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology(GBL2135,GBL21405)
文摘The near-surface environment of the Tibetan Plateau is a fragile critical zone. Our understanding of the transport and transformation of persistent organic pollutants(POPs) in the ecosystem has significantly improved with research conducted in recent decades. In the current study,POP concentrations in soils logarithmically decreased and fractionated with increasing distance from the source area,patterns attributed to air–soil exchange. Transport from soils resulted in the enrichment of POP concentrations in plants and sediments. The enantiomeric fraction indicated that transformation of POPs in soils was significantly correlated with altitude. At the same time, the chiral signature of POPs in soils was maintained from soils to sediments, while the chiral transformation from soils to plants was found to be complex.
基金supported by the National Natural Scientific Foundation of China(No.41571130071)
文摘Focusing on sustainability of water resources and ecology in the complex karst critical zone, we illustrated functions of the hydro-geochemical analysis on hydrology from the aspects of connection and interaction among hydrology–vegetation–soils/rock fractures along the karst subsurface profile. We reviewed isotopic and geochemical interpretations on tracing water sources for plant uptake, quantifying watershed outlet flow composition and residence times, and evaluating long-term evolution among climate–landscape–hydrology in the karst critical zone. In this paper, the application of the hydro-geochemical analysis on the above aspects in the karst areas of southwest China was summarized.
基金Research Program of Tianjin North China Geological Exploration BureauHK2021-B15,Daqing Fu+4 种基金Geological Survey Program of China Geological SurveyMinistry of Natural ResourcesDD20190822,Xiaofeng WeiS&T Program of Hebei(CN),19224205DHao Wei。
文摘Bedrock weathering performs a significant influence on the evolution of Earth’s critical zone.Carbonate rock(dolostone),metamorphic rock(gneiss),and sedimentary rock(sandstone)geological formations in Yanshan Mountain,Hebei Province,are taken as objects to probe the controlling of geological formations on weathering characteristics,migration,and enrichment of elements as well as structure of Earth’s critical zone under the identical climate conditions through geological field survey,analysis on minerals component,element distribution in the weathering profile.The dolostone geological formation(DGF)is lithologically dominated by dolostone,characterized by the strongest and predominant chemical weathering.During bedrock weathering and pedogenesis,DGF is marked by significant depletion of CaO,Mg O,S,Mn,Mo and enrichment of N,K,Fe_(2)O_(3),and Zn with concentrations of P,Cu,and B keeping stable.Shortage of soil-forming materials and significant loss are driven by soil erosion,which results in thin regolith and soil.The soil thickness is less than 10 cm,and the regolith thickness is less than 30 cm.The vegetation community is predominantly rock arbor or brush,which is calcivorous and tolerant of barrenness.Plagiogneiss is a dominant rock type of gneiss geological formation(GGF),characterized by the weakest weathering and fast chemical and physical weathering rate.GGF is masked by significant depletion of P,K,CaO,MgO,Fe_(2)O_(3),Mn,Cu and enrichment of N,S,Mo,and B,with contents of Zn keeping stable.Both soil and regolith developed in GGF are relatively thick for one of the reasons that biotite expands during weathering.The soil thickness is more than 50 cm,and the regolith thickness ranges from 100 to 200 cm.The vegetation community is predominantly high-quality economic forests and various arbors because of the enrichment of nutrients in GGF.Sandstone is primarily a rock type of sandstone geological formation(SGF),characterized by moderate weathering degree and slow chemical weathering rate.SGF is marked by significant depletion of P,K,CaO,MgO,Fe_(2)O_(3),and enrichment of N,S,Mn,Cu,Zn,and Mo,with fluctuant changes of Zn and B.The thickness of soil developed in SGF varies between that of DGF and GGF.The soil thickness ranges from 30 to 50 cm,and the regolith thickness ranges from 50 to 100 cm.Chinese pines are widely spread on the shady slopes of SGF.Research provides theoretical support for screening dominant ecological resource areas,ecological industry development and ecological protection and restoration for Yanshan Mountain,Hebei Province.
基金supported by the US National Science Foundation,Project EAR-1331904 for the Eel River Critical Zone Observatory
文摘One of the greatest challenges in critical zone studies is to document the moisture dynamics, water flux,and solute chemistry of the unsaturated, fractured and weathered bedrock that lies between the soil and groundwater table. The central impediment to quantifying this component of the subsurface is the difficulty associated with direct observations. Here, we report solute chemistry as a function of depth collected over a full year across the shale-derived vadose zone of the Eel River Critical Zone Observatory using a set of novel sub-horizontal wellbores,referred to as the vadose zone monitoring system. The results of this first geochemical glimpse into the deep vadose zone indicate a dynamic temporal and depth-resolved structure. Major cation concentrations reflect seasonal changes in precipitation and water saturation, and normalized ratios span the full range of values reported for the world's largest rivers.
基金The National Natural Science Foundation of China under contract Nos 41076048 and 40906044
文摘When waves propagate from deep water to shallow water, wave heights and steepness increase and then waves roll back and break. This phenomenon is called surf. Currently, the present statistical calculation model of surf was derived mainly from the wave energy conservation equation and the linear wave dispersion relation, but it cannot reflect accurately the process which is a rapid increasing in wave height near the broken point. So, the concept of a surf breaking critical zone is presented. And the nearshore is divided as deep water zone, shallow water zone, surf breaking critical zone and after breaking zone. Besides, the calculation formula for the height of the surf breaking critical zone has founded based on flume experiments, thereby a new statistical calculation model on the surf has been established. Using the new model, the calculation error of wave height maximum is reduced from 17.62% to 6.43%.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.42077176,No.41976057)Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai(No.20ZR1459700).
文摘Wetland is a transition zone between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems,and is the source and sink of various biogenic elements in the earth’s epipelagic zone.In order to investigate the driving force and coupling mechanism of carbon(C),nitrogen(N)and phosphorus(P)migration in the critical zone of lake wetland,this paper studies the natural wetland of Dongting Lake area,through measuring and analysing the C,N and P contents in the wetland soil and groundwater.Methods of Pearson correlation,non-linear regression and machine learning were employed to analyse the influencing factors,and to explore the coupling patterns of the C,N and P in both soils and groundwater,with data derived from soil and water samples collected from the wetland critical zone.The results show that the mean values of organic carbon(TOC),total nitrogen(TN)and total phosphorus(TP)in groundwater are 1.59 mg/L,4.19 mg/L and 0.5 mg/L,respectively,while the mean values of C,N and P in the soils are 18.05 g/kg,0.86 g/kg and 0.52 g/kg.The results also show that the TOC,TN and TP in the groundwater are driven by a variety of environmental factors.However,the concentrations of C,N and P in the soils are mainly related to vegetation abundance and species which influence each other.In addition,the fitted curves of wetland soil C-N and C-P appear to follow the power function and S-shaped curve,respectively.In order to establish a multivariate regression model,the soil N and P contents were used as the input parameters and the soil C content used as the output one.By comparing the prediction effects of machine learning and nonlinear regression modelling,the results show that coupled relationship equation for the C,N and P contents is highly reliable.Future modelling of the coupled soil and groundwater elemental cycles needs to consider the complexity of hydrogeological conditions and to explore the quantitative relationships among the influencing factors and chemical constituents.
基金funded by the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China(grant nos.42377241,42107282)the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(grant no.2023430)+1 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Gansu Province(grant no.22JR5RA075)General Projects of Shaanxi Provincial Department of Science and Technology(grant no.2021JQ-168).
文摘The Loess Critical Zone(LCZ)is located in the intersection of bedrock,groundwater,pedosphere,atmosphere and biosphere.It is a key issue to understand the structural characteristics and soil carbon(C)cycle of the LCZ.We summarized the mechanisms of C exchange between rocks and the atmosphere,and discussed the mechanisms of C stabilization and persistence of the LCZ.Due to the deep layer,C stocks of the CLZ could be underestimated.In light of the recent theory of microbial C pump,soil microorganisms play an important role in C cycle,however,the microbial function is not widely considered in C cycling model of the LCZ.For future studies,it is suggested to sys-tematically study the C cycling process from plant canopy to bedrock by the framework system of the LCZ.A variety of techniques and methods are integrated to combine short-term and high-frequency observations with long-term positioning observations,and pay attention to the response and feedback mechanisms of soil organic C(SOC)cycling to global changes and human activities,especially the migration and transformation of SOC in each circle and inter-face of the LCZ.We also recommend the necessity for intensive and long-term C monitoring in LCZ over broad geographic scale,to improve microbial C model for accurately evaluating terrestrial C budget and its dynamics.Altogether,this is the first review of C cycling,spanning from the land surface down to the bedrock in the LCZ,which is significant implications for biogeochemical cycling of C in surface and deep layers down to the bedrock.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant No.2018YFE0107000)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.41571130051,41771251 and 41977003)the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program(STEP)(Grant No.2019QZKK0306).
文摘As the thin layer at the Earth’s terrestrial surface,the critical zone(CZ)ranges from the vegetation canopy to the aquifer or the interface between saprolite and bedrock and varies greatly in space.In the last decade,much attention has been paid to the establishment of Critical Zone Observatories(CZOs)that focus on various aspects of CZ science over different time scales.However,to the best of our knowledge,few studies have explicitly contributed to CZ classification or regionalization;thus,the spatial patterns of similar CZs have not been clearly identified.This study proposed a three-category CZ classification scheme by integrating environmental factors that greatly affect the transfer of energy and mass in the Earth’s near-surface environment and thus dominate CZ formation and evolution,i.e.,climate,parent material,soil type,groundwater table depth,geomorphology and land use.The main goal was to highlight the zonality of these driving forces,of which the high-category classification units were overlaid to delineate the CZ boundaries.The CZ regionalization of China was performed as a case study,resulting in 44 major regions(1st category),100 submajor regions(2nd category)and 1448 regions(3rd category).The spatial distributions and driving factors of the ten largest regions were identified,followed by a simple comparison of the CZO network.Then,the proposed CZ regionalization was compared with recent studies on regionalization in China to evaluate its successes and weaknesses.By linking together CZ studies from the last decade,we advocate that a theoretical framework integrating the CZ evolution processes with ecological functions acts as one of the frontiers of CZ science.Our study demonstrates that the proposed three-category CZ classification scheme effectively identifies the spatial variations in CZs and could thus be further applied in other areas to advance terrestrial environmental research and provide decision support for the sustainable management of natural resources.
基金supported by The National Natural Science Foundation of China(42303060)The China Scholarship Council(CSC,201906250131).
文摘Regolith,widely distributed on the Earth’s surface,constitutes a significant compartment of the Critical Zone,resulting from intricate interactions among the atmosphere,lithosphere,hydrosphere,and biosphere.Regolith formation critically influences nutrient release,soil production,and long-term climate regulation.Regolith development is governed by two primary processes:production and denudation.An urgent need exists to comprehensively understand these processes to refine our understanding of Critical Zone functions.This study investigates an in-situ regolith profile developed on granitic bedrock from a tropical region(Sanya,China).We conducted geochemical analyses,encompassing major,trace elements and mineralogical compositions as well as U-series isotopes,and applied the U-series disequilibrium method to investigate the formation history of this profile.Alternatively,dividing the regolith profile into sub-weathering zones provides a better explanation for the geochemical results,and a multi-stage model based on this subdivision effectively interprets the evolution of deep regolith.Utilizing this multi-stage model,regolith production rates is derived from the“gain and loss”model,ranging from 1.27±0.03 to 42.42±24.24 m/Ma.The production rates first increase from surface until a maximum rate is reached at the depth of∼160 cm and then decrease at further deeper horizons along the depth profile,and the variation of production rates follows a so-called“humped function”.This pioneering investigation into regolith production rates in the Chinese tropical region indicates that(1)the studied profile deviates from a steady state compared to the denudation rate derived from cosmogenic nuclides(^(10)Be_in-situ);(2)subdividing the deep profile based on geochemical data and U-series isotopic activity ratios is imperative for accurately determining regolith production rates;and(3)the combination of U-series disequilibrium and cosmogenic nuclides robustly evaluates the quantitative evolution state of regolith over long time scales.
文摘Achilles tendon tears(ATT)are commonly encountered in clinical practice although it is the strongest tendon in the body.ATT are reported to occur in 0.04%of the population annually.ATT may result from high impact sports trauma such as sudden dorsiflexion while weight bearing or repeated microtrauma to a compromised tendon.Multiple factors can decrease the tensile strength of the tendon predisposing it to rupture.The treatment approach for ATT is multifaceted,dependent on factors such as the degree of tear,distance between the retracted portions,tear location,and also on pa-tient factors such as occupation and underlying predisposing factors.In this pictorial essay,we present the imaging features of normal Achilles tendon and in ATT across different modalities and outline essential reporting criteria for ATT.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.41571130043 Youth Innovation Promotion Association, CAS
文摘The karst critical zone is an essential component of the carbon （C） pool, constituting the global C cycle. It is referred to as one of the ＂residual land sink＂ that remains largely in- determinate. Karst area （2.2×10^7 km^2） comprises 15% of the world＇s land area, and karst area comprises 3.44~106 km^2 of area in China. Due to the complexity of karst structure and its considerable heterogeneity, C sequestration rate estimations contain large inaccuracies, especially in relation to the different methods used in calculations. Therefore, we reevaluated rock weathering-related C sink estimations in China （approximately 4.74 Tg C yr^-1）, which we calibrated from previous studies. Additionally, we stipulated that more comprehensive re- search on rock-soil-biology-atmosphere continuum C migration is essential to better under- stand C conversion mechanisms based on uncertainty analyses of C sink estimations. Moreover, we stressed that a collective confirmation of chemical methods and simulated models through a combined research effort could at least partially eliminate such uncertainty. Furthermore, integrated C cycling research need a long-term observation of the carbon flux of multi-interfaces. The enhanced capacity of ecosystem C and soil C pools remains an effective way of increasing C sink. Karst ecosystem health and security is crucial to human social de- velopment, accordingly, it is critical that we understand thresholds or potential C sink capacities in karst critical zones now and in the future.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.41471176 and41130530)
文摘Plant growth contributes to mineral weathering, but this contribution remains poorly understood. Weathering rates in an aggrading forested watershed in subtropical China were studied by means of geochemical mass balance. Rainfall, dry deposition, and streamwater were monitored from March 2007 to February 2012. Samples of vegetative components, rainfall, dry deposition, streamwater, representative soils, and parent rock were collected and determined for mass balance calculation and clarifying plant-driven weathering mechanisms stoichiometrically. Ignoring biomass, weathering rates of Ca^2＋, Mg^2＋, Na^＋, and Si were 25.6, 10.7, 2.8, and 51.0 kg ha^-1 year^-1, respectively. Taking biomass into consideration, weathering rates of Ca^2＋, Mg^2＋, and Si and the sum of weathering rates of Ca^2＋, Mg^2＋, Na^＋, K^＋, and Si were 2.6, 1.8, 1.2, and 1.5-fold higher than those ignoring biomass, respectively. This is attributed to plant-driven weathering due to the nutrient （e.g., Ca^2＋, Mg^2＋, and K^＋） absorption by vegetation and substantial proton production during assimilation of these nutrients, with the former acting as a pump for removing weathering products and the latter being a source of weathering agents solubilizing mineral components. The same pattern of weathering, i.e., higher rates of weathering with than without including biomass in mass balance calculation, was reported in previous studies; however, the extent to which plants drive weathering rates varied with vegetation types and climatic zones. The documented biological weathering driven by plants is expected to play a critical role in regulating nutrient cycling and material flows within the Earth＇s Critical Zone.
基金The Major Science and Technology Program for Water Pollution Control and Treatment,No.2017ZX07101-001National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.41922003,No.41871080。
文摘Bibliometrics was used to statistically analyze key zones within the Yangtze River Basin(YRB)funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)and national ministries over the past 20 years.This study determined that funds that derived from national ministries have mainly focused on issues related to environmental pollution,ecological security,technological water regulations,and river basin ecosystems,which offer a better understanding of the national requirements and the scientific knowledge of the YRB in combination with data from the NSFC.Under a background of bolstering the construction of green ecological corridors in the economic belt of the YRB,this study proposes future conceptual watershed research initiatives in this region as a study objective by reinforcing the implementation of the Chinese Ecosystem Research Network(CERN)and by emphasizing the use of new technologies,new methods,and new concepts for the prospective design of frontier research under the perspective of geoscience and earth system science.This study promotes large-scale scientific field and research objectives based on big science and big data.
基金funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China(41210004,41603018,41673124 and2013CB956401)ministry of water resources of People’s Republic of China(201401050)
文摘Rare earth elements(REEs) can record geologic and geochemical processes. We studied two granitic regolith profiles from different climatic zones in eastern Tibetan Plateau and found that(1)∑ RREEs ranged from119.65 to 275.33 mg/kg in profile ND and5.11–474.55 mg/kg in profile GTC, with average values of205.79 and 161 mg/kg, respectively. ∑RREEs was higher in accumulation horizon and semi-regolith;(2) Influenced by climate, the fractionation of light and heavy REEs(LREEs and HREEs) varied during weathering. The ratio of LREEs/HREEs in pedosphere was higher than semi-regolith in tropical profile;(3) A negative Eu anomaly in both profiles was the result of bedrock weathering. A positive Ce anomaly was observed in all layers of profile ND, and only in the upper 100 cm of profile GTC. This indicates that redox conditions along the regolith profile varied considerably with climate.(4) Normalized by chondrite,LREEs accumulated much more than HREEs; REE distribution curves were right-leaning with a V-type Eu anomaly in both profiles.
基金supported jointly by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2016YFC0502300 and 2016YFC0502102)the United Fund of the Karst Science Research Center(No.U1612441)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(41571130042,41673121,and 41571130074)。
文摘To estimate carbon sequestration potential in the karst area,soil respiration in a natural recovering karst abandoned farmland in Shawan,Puding,Guizhou,southwest China was continuously and automatically monitored for more than two years.The results show that the CO2flux of soil respiration(2.63±1.89 lmol m^-2s-^1)is higher in the karst area than in non-karst areas under similar conditions but that regional value(1.32 lmol m-2s-1)is lower because of larger rock fragment coverage(~50%).A the same time,the temperature sensitivity of soil respiration(Q10)in this study area is significantly higher than that of non-karst areas under similar conditions.Soil respiration has an obvious temporal variation,which is reflected in a significant exponential relationship between soil respiration and soil temperature,but the relationship between soil respiration and soil moisture is very complex.Especially soil respiration has an obvious spatial variation,which is likely affected by different diffusion or water-rock reaction processes.
基金the project“1:50000 regional hydrogeological survey in the Dabie Mountains contiguous destitute area”(121201009000172522)from Wuhan Center of Geological Survey,China Geological Survey(CGS).
文摘The scientific field test site of rainfall-soil moisture-groundwater conversion in Dabie Mountain Area–Jianghan Plain is located in the northern region of the Jianghan Plain,the transition zone between the Dabie Mountain Area and Jianghan Plain.It’s a great field test site to study the material and energy exchange among rainfall,soil moisture,and groundwater of the Earth’s critical zone in subtropical monsoon climate plain areas.This paper analyzed the connection between rainfall and volume water content(VWC)of soil at different depths of several soil profiles,and the dynamic feature of groundwater was discussed,which reveals the rainfall infiltration recharge of Quaternary Upper Pleistocene strata.The results show that the Quaternary Upper Pleistocene aquifer groundwater accepts a little direct rainfall recharge,while the lateral recharge is the main supplement source.There were 75 effective rainfall events among 120 rainfall events during the monitoring period,with an accumulated amount of 672.9 mm,and the percentages of effective rainfall amount and duration time were 62.50%and 91.56%,respectively.The max evaporation depth at the upper part in Quaternary cohesive soil was no less than 1.4 m.The soil profile was divided into four zones:(1)The sensitive zone of rainfall infiltration within 1.4 m,where the material and energy exchange frequently near the interface between atmosphere and soil;(2)the buffer zone of rainfall infiltration between 1.4 m and 3.5 m;(3)the migration zone of rainfall infiltration between 3.5 m and 5.0 m;and(4)the rainfall infiltration and groundwater level co-influenced zone below 5.0 m.The results revealed the reaction of soil moisture and groundwater to rainfall in the area covered by cohesive soil under humid climate in Earth’s critical zone,which is of great theoretical and practical significance for groundwater resources evaluation and development,groundwater environmental protection,ecological environmental improvement,drought disaster prevention,and flood disaster prevention in subtropical monsoon climate plain areas.
